Miniature Fuel Cell Core

ABSTRACT

A method for producing a fuel cell including: providing two identical subassemblies each including a substrate and a current collector removably arranged thereon, depositing an ionic liquid or pasty polymerizable membrane on at least one of the subassemblies in such a way that the collector thereof is completely covered, applying the subassemblies one against the other so as to obtain an assembly having a solidified membrane with the two collectors incorporated, face to face, in this membrane, and detaching the two substrates from the collectors.

The present invention relates to the field of fuel cells. It relates, more particularly, to a method for producing a miniature cell core. It also relates to a cell core and a cell obtained by this method.

A fuel cell is described in document FR 03 07 967. It consists of a large number of elementary cells disposed in series and each having a stack comprising, as shown diagrammatically in FIG. 1, an anode 13 a and a cathode 13 b separated by an electrolytic membrane 10. The stack is positioned between two current collecting plates 11 and 12 through a diffuser (14 a and 14 b).

The patent application EP 04 405063.1 presents a method according to which the current collector is made by galvanic deposition on a substrate and then transferred onto the membrane so as to be held there by being inlaid or by adhesive bonding.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method enabling the core of a fuel cell to be further miniaturized and enabling the performance to be improved and production costs to be reduced.

More precisely, the invention relates to a method for producing a fuel cell core, characterized in that it comprises the following operations in sequence:

-   -   providing two identical subassemblies formed of a substrate and         a current collector positioned on it in a detachable manner,     -   depositing a polymerizable ionic membrane in the liquid or pasty         state on at least one of said subassemblies so as to cover its         collector completely,     -   applying the two subassemblies obtained one against the other so         as to obtain an assembly comprising a solidified membrane and         the two collectors incorporated, face to face, in this membrane,         and     -   detaching the two substrates from the collectors.

The collectors may be either formed in situ on their substrate or formed separately and then added to their substrate.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, a membrane is deposited on the two subassemblies.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, a membrane is deposited on only one of the two subassemblies.

The invention also relates to a fuel cell core made by the above method and characterized in that the assembly obtained is inserted between two rigid frames in the manner of a transparency.

Finally, the invention relates to a fuel cell of which the core is made by the above method and characterized in that the assembly obtained is inserted between two rigid covers provided with connecting end pieces and providing, either side of the assembly, spaces for the necessary reagents.

Advantageously, the frames and covers also serve as supports for electrical contacts connecting the two collectors to the outside.

Other features of the invention will become apparent subsequently on reading the following description, made with regard to the appended drawings in which:

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate two different ways of implementing the method,

FIG. 4 shows the incorporation of the cell core between two frames, and

FIG. 5 shows the incorporation of the cell core between two covers.

Reference will first of all be made to FIG. 2 which shows diagrammatically the main operating principles of the first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 a

At the start of the method, two identical subassemblies 20 a-20 b are provided, each formed of a substrate 21 and a metal current collector in the form of a mesh 22 deposited on the substrate. The collector has, in section, a mushroom or harpoon profile and, typically, a thickness of 5 to 10 μm. The face of the substrate which receives the collector is such that it can be detached therefrom by mechanical, chemical or thermal action.

Each collector 22 is advantageously made in situ by galvanic deposition of gold with the aid of a mask formed on the substrate according to the method described in detail in document EP 04 405063.1 already mentioned.

As a variant, the collectors 22 could also be made separately and then added to the substrates and fixed to these by adhesive bonding.

FIG. 2 b

A polymerizable ionic semi-membrane of the Nafion® (cationic) or of the ADP-Morgane® (anionic) type is deposited in the liquid or pasty state on each subassembly 20 a-20 b so as to cover the collectors 22 completely. Typically, this layer is spread out by a technique known by the name of “spin coating” and has a thickness of 10 to 20 μm.

FIG. 2 c

After prepolymerization of the semi-membranes 23, an operation which is not indispensable, the resulting subassemblies 24 a-24 b are fixed respectively on the work plates of a machine, called “flip chip bonding” machine, not shown in the drawing, and well known to a person skilled in the art, the two semi-membranes 23 facing each other.

FIG. 2 d

The alignment and flatness of the two subassemblies 24 a-24 b having been adjusted, they are applied one against the other by the machine under pressure at a temperature and for a period such that the semi-membranes 23 are welded to each other and solidified by polymerization.

FIG. 2 e

When the two plates of the machine are separated, the collectors 22 have to be detached from their respective substrates 21. In the case of collectors formed galvanically, separation is made by a simple mechanical action. If the collectors have been brought together and fixed by adhesive bonding, separation is made by chemical and/or thermal action.

The result is an assembly 25 comprising a solidified membrane 26 and two collectors 22 incorporated, face to face, in the membrane. Typically, the assembly has a thickness of 20 to 40 μm.

FIG. 2 f

The two faces of the assembly 25 are, above the collectors 22, covered with a catalyst layer 27 essentially comprising catalyst elements properly so called, such as platinum and ruthenium, and electrical and ionic conducting elements such as carbon and the same material as that which constitutes the membrane 26.

A variant of the method is illustrated in FIG. 3 on which the elements identical to those in FIG. 2 carry the same reference numbers.

FIG. 3 a

The first operation is identical to that of FIG. 2 a.

FIG. 3 b

A polymerizable ionic membrane 28 of the same type as the semi-membranes 23, but with a double thickness, is deposited in a liquid or pasty state on the assembly 20 a in order to constitute the subassembly 29.

FIG. 3 c

After prepolymerization of the membrane 28, an operation that is not indispensable, the assemblies 20 b and 29 are fixed respectively onto the work plates of a “flip chip bonding” machine, the membrane 28 facing the collector 22 of the assembly 20 b.

FIG. 3 d

The alignment and flatness of the assemblies 20 b and 29 having been adjusted, they are applied against each other by the machine under pressure at a temperature and for a duration such that the collector 22 of the assembly 20 b is inlaid in the membrane which solidifies by polymerization.

FIG. 3 e

The operation is identical to that of FIG. 2 e.

FIG. 3 f

The operation is identical to that of FIG. 2 f.

Whatever the method used, the structure obtained suffers from the fact that the thin membrane 26 risks being deformed under the action of moisture, which presents a problem when the assembly has to be handled in order to incorporate it in a fuel cell.

According to the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the above problem is solved by inserting the assembly 25 between two rigid frames 30, advantageously made of PVC and fixed to each other with the aid of points 31 passing through the membrane 26. It will be noted that these frames also serve as supports for electrical contacts 32 connecting the two collectors 22 to the outside.

This “packaging” of the assembly, in the manner of a transparency, makes it possible to stabilize the shape of the membrane and makes it easier to handle.

Finally, reference will be made to FIG. 5 showing that the simple frames 30 of FIG. 4 are replaced by rigid covers 33, advantageously made of PVC and also fixed to each other by points (not shown). These covers are provided with connecting end pieces 34 which also ensure stiffening of the assembly but moreover provide, either side of the catalysts 27, spaces 35 for the necessary reagents. The seals 36 ensure the leakproofness of these spaces. The structure of FIG. 5 thus constitutes a complete fuel cell.

The present invention has been made with reference to isolated assemblies. In practice, as is the procedure in the field of microelectronics, several assemblies provided with their frames or covers are produced by forming a single membrane on a matrix of collectors. The assemblies are finally separated by cutting the membrane around the frames or covers.

It is therefore proposed to produce a miniature fuel cell core which, by virtue of the integration of current collectors into the membrane, greatly improves the membrane-collectors-catalysts contact and, by virtue of the use of frames, makes it possible to prevent deformations of the membranes without excessive supplementary costs. The invention also makes it possible, by virtue of the use of covers, to provide a ready-to-operate miniature fuel cell. Finally, it will be noted that the harpoon shape of the current collectors appreciably reinforces their strength in the membrane. 

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 12. A method for producing a fuel cell core, comprising the following operations in sequence: providing two substantially identical subassemblies each formed of a substrate and a current collector positioned on it in a detachable manner, depositing a polymerizable ionic membrane in a liquid or pasty state on at least one of said subassemblies so as to cover its collector completely, applying said two subassemblies one against the other so as to obtain an assembly comprising a solidified membrane with said two collectors incorporated, face to face, in said membrane, and detaching said two substrates from said collectors.
 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein said collectors are formed in situ on said substrates.
 14. The method according to claim 12, wherein said collectors are formed separately and then added to said substrates.
 15. The method according to claim 12, wherein said membrane is deposited on said two subassemblies.
 16. The method according to claim 12, wherein said membrane is deposited on only one of said two subassemblies.
 17. The method according to claim 12, further including, after said substrates are detached, an operation of depositing a catalyst layer on said collectors.
 18. A fuel cell core made by the method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said assembly is inserted between two rigid frames, in the manner of a transparency.
 19. The fuel cell core according to claim 18, wherein said frames also serve as supports for electrical contacts connecting said two collectors to the outside.
 20. The fuel cell core according to claim 18, wherein said collectors have a mushroom or harpoon profile.
 21. A fuel cell having a core produced by implementation of the method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said assembly is inserted between two rigid covers provided with connecting end pieces and providing, either side of said assembly, spaces for reagents.
 22. The fuel cell according to claim 21, wherein said covers also serve as supports for electrical contacts connecting said two collectors to the outside.
 23. The method according to claim 13, further including, after said substrates are detached, an operation of depositing a catalyst layer on said collectors.
 24. The method according to claim 14, further including, after said substrates are detached, an operation of depositing a catalyst layer on said collectors.
 25. The method according to claim 15, further including, after said substrates are detached, an operation of depositing a catalyst layer on said collectors.
 26. The method according to claim 16, further including, after said substrates are detached, an operation of depositing a catalyst layer on said collectors.
 27. The fuel cell core made by the method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said assembly is inserted between two rigid frames, in the manner of a transparency.
 28. The fuel cell core according to claim 19, wherein said collectors have a mushroom or harpoon profile.
 29. The fuel cell core according to claim 27, wherein said collectors have a mushroom or harpoon profile.
 30. The fuel cell core according to claim 27, wherein said frames also serve as supports for electrical contacts connecting said two collectors to the outside.
 31. The fuel cell having a core produced by implementation of the method as claimed in claim 17, wherein said assembly is inserted between two rigid covers provided with connecting end pieces and providing, either side of said assembly, spaces for reagents. 